Wilbur G. Hallauer An Oral History Washington State Oral History Program Office of the Secretary of State Wilbur G. Hallauer An Oral History Interviewed by Thomas J. Kerr Washington State Oral History Program Office of the Secretary of State Ralph Munro, Secretary of State 1981-2001 Sam Reed, Secretary of State Senator Wilbur Hallauer on the floor of the Washington State Senate in 1965. Copyright 2001 Washington State Oral History Program All rights reserved ISBN 1-889320-13-7 Library of Congress Subject Headings 1. Hallauer, Wilbur G., 1914-present 2. Legislators—Washington—biography 3. Washington—politics and government Washington State Oral History Program Office of Secretary of State Legislative Building PO Box 40243 Olympia, WA 98504-0243 Telephone: (360) 902-4157 CONTENTS Dedication Foreword by Robert Bailey Preface Acknowledgements Introduction by Thomas J. Kerr Biographical Highlights Interviews 1. Family Background .................................................. 1 2. Young Adulthood and Education ........................ 16 3. Working in the Family Business ......................... 29 4. Entering the World of Politics ................................. 48 5. Right Wing Politics and the John Goldmark Affair .. 68 6. Life in the Washington State Legislature ............. 92 7. The Legislative Process ....................................... 105 8. Interim Committee Work and Water Issues ........ 149 9. Legislative Redistricting ...................................... 174 10. Director of the Department of Ecology .................. 186 Appendix — Photographs Index The political circus attracts many who do not become performers within the charmed rings of public observance. Whether carrying water to the elephants or setting up the wire cables for the high trapeze acts, the work of these associated workers is necessary to the gladiators who hold the public attention. Without dedicated and talented people to help, the show could not go on. Often the political and intellectual acumen of the politician’s support group is the making of that politician. This applies in my own case. Over the years, Max R. Nicolai, Warren Featherstone Reid, and Charles B. Roe have been, variously, nursemaids, intellectual stimulators, alter egos, challengers, Simon Legrees, and, above all, friends. If I amounted to anything in politics and otherwise, it is because I am, in large part, THEM. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. WEB HALLAUER FOREWORD ABOUT WILBUR G. HALLAUER As a long-time legislative colleague and friend, it was an honor to be asked to write a foreword for Web Hallauer’s oral history book. Web was an outstanding legislator—one not seeking headlines, but dedicated to doing a good job and always unswerving in those basic principles in which he believed. Web was a team player, but never wavered from support of his beliefs. He was very knowledgeable on issues and matters on which he was asked to act. Coming to the House of Representatives in the 1949 session, Web was named chairman of the Horticulture Committee in his first session, also serving in that capacity in 1951. During his legislative career, Web served on a multitude of committees, but over time steered himself to two main interests—higher education and libraries, and the committees relating to revenue, taxation, and appropriations, usually encompassed in the Committee on Ways and Means. In the field of higher education, Web was a leader in work done at that time to bring our institutions of higher learning to a much improved standard. He was one of the architects leading the organization and establishment of our present excellent community college system. I would say that the zenith of Web’s legislative career occured during the four years he was chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee—a very powerful and important position. It was the most difficult job in the Legislature and demanded many days of long hours and hard work. Web was always in command of the situation, and when his budgets were presented on the floor, Web knew every detail of the document and his presentations went very smoothly, which was a far cry from some similar situations in previous sessions. A few years after leaving the Legislature, Web served four years as director of the Washington State Department of Ecology. Throughout all of the years I have known him, I have always been impressed with Web’s unfailing support for social issues and his devotion to the cause of civil liberties and civil rights. A successful businessman, Web never forgot those less fortunate in society. He always stood firm on their behalf. His loyalty to friends with problems and his fight to see that everyone be given their rights to be seen and heard put Web, in many cases, in the public eye on positions that most politicians would have dodged or just remained silent. Not Web Hallauer. FOREWORD In all things, Web Hallauer was always a compassionate person—this at a time long before the word “compassionate” became an adjective to a political ideology. ROBERT BAILEY Former Washington State Senator PREFACE The Washington State Oral History Program was established in 1991 by the Washington State Legislature to document the formation of public policy in Washington State. It is located in the Office of the Secretary of State and guided by the Oral History Advisory Committee. Each oral history is a valuable record of an individual’s contributions and convictions, their interpretation of events, and their relationships with other participants in the civic life of the state. By reading these oral histories, the complex interweaving of the personal and political processes that shape public policy are revealed. The Oral History Advisory Committee chooses candidates for oral histories. Extensive research is then conducted about the life and activities of the prospective interviewee, using legislative journals, newspaper accounts, personal papers, and other sources. Then a series of taped interviews is conducted, focusing on the interviewee’s public life and contributions, but also including personal sources of their values and beliefs. Political values, ideas about public service, interpretation of events, and reflections about relationships and the political process are explored. When the interviews have been completed, a verbatim transcript is prepared. These transcripts are edited and reviewed by the interviewer and interviewee to ensure readability and accuracy. Finally, the transcript is published and distributed to libraries, archives, and interested individuals. An electronic version of the text is also available on the Secretary of State web site (www.secstate.wa.gov). Recollection and interpretation of events vary. It is the hope of the Oral History Program that this work will help citizens of the State of Washington better understand their political legacy. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Washington State Oral History Program wishes to thank all of those who contributed to this project. Senator Web Hallauer and Jo Hallauer graciously offered hospitality to our interviewer as well as their full attention to the crafting of this oral history. We thank them for their dedication to accuracy, patience, and deep interest in the program. Charles Roe read the entire manuscript and offered helpful suggestions. He contributed several of the photographs and plumbed his prodigious memory for names and other details of fact. Merilynn Wilson also gave generously of her time and expertise with her careful reading of the manuscript and thoughtful comments. We appreciate the members of our Legislative Advisory Committee for their guidance, support, and unfailing interest in this work. The committee includes Senators Sid Snyder, Shirley Winsley, and Al Bauer; Representatives Patricia Lantz, Karen Keiser, Don Carlson, and Kathy Lambert; Secretary of State Ralph Munro, Secretary of the Senate Tony Cook, and Co-Chief Clerks of the House Tim Martin and Cindy Zehnder. Ex Officio members are Warren Bishop, David Nicandri, Dean Foster, and former legislators Robert Bailey, Alan Thompson, Eugene Prince, and Don Brazier. This oral history was printed by the helpful staff of the Washington State Department of Printing. We thank them for their professional assistance. Secretary of State Ralph Munro and Deputy Secretary of State Tracy Guerin have been a constant source of support. Their encouragement and dedication have sustained the program. Many others in the Office of the Secretary of State have lent their assistance to the program in innumerable ways. We thank them for their generous assistance. All those named gave more than we asked. It is a privilege to acknowledge them. THE WASHINGTON STATE ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM INTRODUCTION INTERVIEWING WILBUR G. HALLAUER The interviews comprising this oral history were conducted between August 1998 and March 1999. All of them took place at Web Hallauer’s Oroville home, overlooking Lake Osoyoos. Because of the considerable distance between Ellensburg and Oroville, Web and his wife Jo graciously opened their home to me, insisting that I spend the night there on each of my trips, and treating me like a favored guest. The visits took on a pattern. Jo would have soup and homemade bread ready for my arrival at lunch time. The three of us would visit for a while and then Web and I would adjourn to his office to begin the interviewing. Our discussions, both on and off the record, would usually last about three hours. After more visiting, we would all drive the short distance across the Canadian border to Osoyoos for dinner. Upon returning, Jo and Web would engage in the most furious best-of-three games of cribbage I have ever witnessed. Although I am a life-long cribbage enthusiast, I quickly concluded that the prudent course was to remain an observer of the proceedings, rather than a participant. After breakfast the following morning, Web and I would again work for two or three hours. And, after lunch, I would drive back to Ellensburg. This pattern had the effect of transforming the interview process into a real social occasion, and I found I looked forward to the visiting as much as the interviewing.